Odor absorber



Sept. 4, 1934. M. ALEX 1,972,368

ODOR ABSORBER Filed Jan. 16, 1953 I m vEN' TOR MAX A BY/7 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claim.

This invention has to do with means for absorbing odorous gases, fumes, and vapors from the atmosphere, and finds particular application in connection with refrigerators, cold storage rooms, smoking rooms, kitchens, restaurants, and the like.

In connection with refrigeration and cold storage rooms, the device contemplated by this mvention prevents the contamination of articles of food of one kind with the flavor of other foods by absorbing from the atmosphere those odors or gases which lend to such contamination.

In smoking rooms, restaurants, kitchens and the like, the device contemplated by this invention absorbs or, more specifically, adsorbs those gases, fumes, and vapors which would otherwise be offensive to the occupants of the room.

It is a well known fact that certain materials, such as activated charcoal and silica gel, have a very great adsorptive action on odorous gases, and, although I am aware of the fact that materials of this nature have been used for the purpose of clearing the atmosphere ofsuch gases, it is a primary object of this invention to produce a device of the class described which employs materials of this nature in a form which gives universal application to the device.

It is a well known fact that an adsorptive material of the class described will, in the course of time, become saturated with occluded gases at which point its adsorbing efliciency is either lost or materially impaired. It, therefore, becomes, another object of this invention to produce a device of the class described wherein the adsorptive medium is in a form such that it can be readily reactivated for re-use after it has become saturated in themanner just described.

In accomplishing this object, I propose to form the adsorptive material (activated charcoal and silica gel) in a compressed block of suitable size, such that it can be readily placed inan oven or the like and baked to expel the occluded gases.

It is a still further object of this invention to produce a container for a block or a plurality of blocks of the class described which is of attractive appearance and is so constructed as to expose a maximum surface of the adsorptive material to the atmosphere in which the container is placed.

In the event a plurality of adsorptive blocks are used, it is another feature of this invention that means are provided for supporting the blocks in the container in spaced relation with each other and with the top, bottom, and end walls so as to permit a free circulation of air about the exposed surfaces of the blocks.

The case contemplated by this invention, in order to expose the surface of the block as described above, is provided with louvers in its walls, and as a feature of economy in construction and further to direct the air into the space surrounding the blocks, the louvers in the bottom and top of the case project inwardly, the bottom louvers thus forming supports for holding the blocks away from the bottom wall.

It is a further feature of the case contemplated by this invention that one side wall thereof is made removable to permit the removal of the blocks for reactivation.

The details in the construction of a preferred form of my invention, together with other objects attending its production will be best understood from the following description of the accompanying drawing which is chosen for illustrative purposes only, and in whicha Fig. l is a perspective view showing a preferred form of my invention embodied in a size which is particularly adapted for use in the conventional domestic refrigerator;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly in section of a unit similar to that shown in Fig. 1 but of a larger size which is more especially suited to use in commercial refrigerators, cold storage rooms, smoking rooms, etc.;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken in a plane represented by the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the device shown in Fig. 2 partly shown in section;

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional elevations showing modified forms of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section showing a modified form of latch construction.

Referring to the drawing, it is to be understood that the form shown in Fig. 1, except for its size and the number of adsorptive blocks, is identical with the form shown in Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive and the same reference numerals will, therefore, be used to indicate similar elements throughout in describing these figures.

Reference numeral 11 indicates a case in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive which is preferably made of metal and has top and bottom walls 13 and 14 respectively, side walls 15 and 16 respectively, and end. walls 17 and 18 respectively.

The side wall 16, which I may term the front or cover, is made independent of the rest of the case and is provided with a narrow peripheral flange 19 which flts into the case. One end of the front or cover member 16 is provided with a pair of projecting fingers 20 and 20' which extend through suitable openings formed in the front edge of end wall 18. These projections and their associated openings form a hinge joint which cooperates with a screw 21, extending through an The louvers 24, in the bottom wall 14, support" blocks indicated at 25 which, as pointed but above, are formed by compressing a mixture of activated charcoal and silica gel. These blocks which vary in number, depending upon the capacity of the unit, are held in spaced relation with each other by means of spacing members 26, and the end blocks are held away from the end walls by spacing members 27, all shown as being mounted, by means of rivets 28 (or in any other suitable manner) upon the top and bottom walls 13 and 14. The spacing members shown, comprise short U-shaped brackets, but it is to be understood that blocks, angle members, etc., may be used.

In the forms shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the cases 11a and 11b respectively, are the same as the case 11 except that they are not provided with spacing members.

The blocks 25a in the case 11a are held in spaced relation by means of buttons 29 cast integrally with or suitably mounted on the blocks.

The blocks 25b in the case 11b are heldin spaced relation by means of a loose packing material 30 such as steel wool, aluminum wool, or the like.

In the fragmentary section in Fig. 7, I show a case 11' wherein the cover 16 is secured by means of a spring latch 32 secured to the end wall 17' of the case by bolts 33. The latch spring 32 is bent as indicated at 34 to fit over a lip 35 on the flange 19' of the cover. The latch is released by inserting a suitable instrument, such as an ice pick or a match, through the aperture 36. In view of the ease with which it may be operated, this type of latch is in many respects more desirable than the screw shown in connection with Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

It is to be understood that, while I have herein described and illustrated one preferred embodiment of my invention, the invention is not limited to the precise construction as described above, but includes within its scope whatever changes fairly come within the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the class described embodying: a case having louvers in the walls thereof; a plusaid case being removable rality of adsorptive blocks in said case; some of said louvers being positioned in the bottom of said case and such louvers being turned inwardly for supporting said blocks in spaced relation with the bottom of said case; and means for holding said blocks in spaced relation with each other. 2. A device of the class described embodying. a case having louvers in the walls thereof; a plurality of adsorptive blocks in said case; some of said louvers being pcsitionedinthe bottom of said case and such louvers being turned inwardly for supporting said blocks in spaced relation with the bottom of said case; and means for holding said blocks in spaced relation with each other, said last mentioned means comprising spacing members mounted in the top and bottom 0! said case.

3. A device of the class described embodying: a case having louvers in the walls thereof; a

plurality of adsorptive blocks in said case; some of said louvers being positioned in the bottom of saidcase and such louvers being turned inwardly for supporting said blocks in spaced relation with the bottom of said case; and means for holding said blocks in spaced relation with each other, said last mentioned means comprising buttons formed on said-blocks. 1

4. A- device of the class described embodying: a case having louvers in the walls thereof; a plurality of adsorptive blocks in said case; some of said louvers being positioned in the bottom of said case and such louvers being turnedinq wardly for supporting said blocks in spaced relation with the bottom of said case; and means for holding said blocks in spaced relation with each other, said last mentioned means comprising loose packing material interposed between said blocks.

5. A device of the classdescribed embodying; a case having outwardly extending louvers formed in the side walls thereof and inwardly projecting louvers formed in the top and bottom walls thereof; a plurality of adsorptive blocks mounted on the bottom louvers in spaced relation with the bottom of said case; and-means, for holding said blocks in spaced relation with each other and with the ends of said case. I

6. A device of the class described. embodying: a case having outwardly extending louvers formed in the side walls thereof and inwardly projecting louvers formed in the top and bottom walls thereof; a plurality of adsorptive blocks mounted on the bottom louvers in spaced relation with the bottomof said case; and means for holding said blocks in spaced relation with each other and withthe ends of said case, one side of to permit the insertion of said blocks. 1

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